Suc·cess
/səkˈses/ noun the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity.
The great thing about success is that each of us get to define the aim, purpose or prosperity differently as it is unique to each one of us. So in the words of Simon Sidek, our “Why” is defined by us and thus this self imposed limit is of our own creation. Once we have created this why, we will need to draft a plan, a playbook for how to create success and achieve the target for which we set up to achieve.
So, the most important aspect of this process to understand is that we MUST be in action. Above everything else, keep moving – fear is paralysis. And fear will creep up, the question is what will you do when it comes knocking on your door.
Step 1 – Start With The Outcome
In order to get started, the first step to take is to figure out what you really want – what is your ultimate outcome? Can you define with specificity the results you are looking to achieve? How do you define your success?
For most people this is one of their biggest problems. They do not know what they want. A some point they grew up and forgot how to dream, how to be creative. They lost touch with the limitless child inside of them. Many people spend the majority of their life figuring this out, and believe me, when they do, it is blissful as they harness a new found energy, an enthusiasm that will move them through any obstacle or challenge.
Step 2 – Create the Vision
Once you have an ultimate outcome, you will want to create a vision for your future. Some people ask the difference between ’outcome’ and ‘vision.’
The best way to look at it is that the outcome is specific, it is measurable, it is a set of facts. The vision is the story surrounding the outcome, the big dream. How will you feel? How will others act? What will your life be like? What type of impact will you have?
This vivid story will be a way to create the atmosphere around the outcome and, to your subconscious mind, it does not know the difference between reality and this vision when you begin to reflect on it daily.
Step 3 – Measure to Improve
Once you have established a guiding light and defined your purpose, you can then begin to measure your life and the various aspects against this benchmark. Remember, what you measure, you improve. So, as you look at the habits, behaviors and patterns in your life, you can determine which serve you in your journey towards your vision and which ones no longer serve you.
As you experience this comparison and contrast, you will probably have various emotions come up – intra personal growth can be challenging and requires confidence, vulnerability and internal motivation.
Step 4 – Creating New Habits
As you release the habits, patterns and behaviors that no longer serve you, it will be a lot like doing spring cleaning – you will begin to make room, you will feel fresh and clean with the ability to take more on.
In this new found freedom is the opportunity to develop new habits, patterns and behaviors in line with your vision. It is with these behaviors that you can begin to transform towards your ultimate vision.
To really have this step become real for you, take the time to confess with another person your findings around habits, patterns and behaviors that no longer serve you and what new habits, patterns and behaviors you are creating.
Step 5 – Eye on The Prize
Remember we are like water, we follow the path of least resistance, so it will be very easy to naturally flow back into old habits, patterns and behaviors. So it is very important to keep your focus, keep your eye on the prize.
It is natural human instinct to fall back into old patterns, to resort to your old behaviors and to pick up the habits that no longer serve you. Think about this, when your basic human needs are not met (variety, connection, self esteem, significance and certainty) what do you tend to do? In this answer you will find habits and behaviors. Analyze these and determine if they serve you toward your ultimate vision?
Step 6 – Your Model
For many of us, we do not know how to act in certain situations, especially when we are operating from a vision and operating on a set of habits, and behaviors that are new to us.
I cannot help but think of the scene from Pretty Woman when Vivian (Julia Roberts) has to go to the formal dinner and has no idea how or what to do. It is then she seeks a role model, someone who she can learn the ropes from; someone whose attributes will be in line with those required for the situation she will find herself in.
As an entrepreneur, this is a very healthy exercise – role modeling for the attributes that will allow us to keep the focus to execute with the new habits, patterns and behaviors we have created.
Step 7 – Rinse and Repeat
As we continue to do this we will continue to get more comfortable. With this comfort will be a certain amount of confidence that over time will lead to us being able to continue to grow and take on new risks.